IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID

We've all heard that before, i.e., "It's the economy, stupid," when talking about why a political figure is not polling well. It's what voters are reacting to when they're marking their ballot. That may very well be true, but if America's enemies get their way, our money troubles may seem irrelevant compared to the havoc they reap. I think of the earthquake in Haiti, and how lives, their way of life, and their very country was destroyed in a minute.

I grew up during the Cold War, but was young enough to be aloof enough for it not to concern me. Dad promised that because both the USA and Russia had the nuclear bomb, all would be fine, b/c of the inevitable mutual destruction. Peace through strength. And, he was right. Today, it's different. It's different because if Iran were to get the nuclear bomb, they may not care about mutual destruction. Already, suicide bombers are willing to lose their life in the name of hurting the infidels. Men, women, and children will die for the cause of destroying Western Civilization as we know it.

Remarks and events coming out of Iran in the last couple of days are concerning. First, there was Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announcing that,

"the nation will deliver a harsh blow to the “global arrogance” on this year’s anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The anniversary is February 11, 2010. (Ironic that it's the 11th) Who knows what he means by that threat, but my speculation is that it will have something to do with demonstrating that they have a nuclear bomb ready.

Then, today, (from here)

Iran has launched a research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space – showing that the country can defeat the west in the battle of technology and that it will soon send its own astronauts, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today.

That, in itself might be a "harsh blow to the global arrogance" of the U.S.A. But, if that's all he had in mind, wouldn't he have waited until Feb. 11, or said the "harsh blow" would happen on Feb. 3. What today's launch does show, however, is that they have the technology to shoot a rocket big enough to go into space, which could imply that they have the technology to build a rocket big enough to deliver a nuke a long ways. Therefore, I think it's plausible, if not speculative, that Ahmadinejad could show that they are now the superpower of this world, because their nuke is ready.

They would be, too, because the USA would never send a nuclear bomb, first. But, Ahmadinejad would. Any threat he made would have to be taken extremely seriously. In the absence of the desire to preserve the lives of your own people, what would stop him? There would no longer be any room for negotiation. They could dictate to the world their demands. There would be no more hope for negotiation. I think that would be the definition of dealing "a harsh blow to the global arrogance" of the United States.

It brings to mind the time of "The Kings" in the Old Testament. When the power of the thrown came from a good king, one in which had the best interests of people at heart, all was well. But, when power became an end unto itself, the king's motives were not to protect the people, but to rule over them and exert his control and power wherever he could. I see a parallel in America being the superpower of the world versus if Iran were the superpower of the world. The whole world would have a dark cloud over it.

We wouldn't be counting our dimes and nickels, but our very lives.

It's hard to say where we'd be, in terms of our relationship to Iran, if Bush were still president. But, I don't think this administration has helped our cause by bowing down to dictators, apologizing for the United States, and generally giving up our status in the world, and handing it over to a country with a bigger stick.

I pray I'm wrong, but even if I'm not, it seems like it's only time before that will happen.